Unique looking birds you can find in West Virginia

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — At least 350 bird species have been spotted in West Virginia, according to the West Virginia Bird Records Committee , but much of the fun of birding lies in spotting the brightly colored or unique-looking birds that stick in your memory for days afterward.

Out of the hundreds of species found in the Mountain State, these are some of the most eye-catching.

Northern Flicker

Northern Flickers are a type of woodpecker that can be seen just about anywhere in the United States. According to the Cornell Lab , these birds will forage on the ground for insects—primarily ants—and make their nests inside tree hollows. If you’re looking for this bird yourself, Cornell Lab recommends scanning the ground and looking for the birds as they forage; keep an eye out for their “obvious white rump patch” as the birds fly away.

Remember, when birdwatching, the three most important things to bring are a bird guide, a pair of binoculars, and a positive attitude (at least according to the National Park Service). You can also download apps like Birda to see what birds are being reported in nearby areas.

Hooded Warbler

These colorful songbirds look more like they’re preparing to rob a bank or go on a secret mission rather than hunt for insects or a mate. Because the females don’t have the “hood,” the males are easier to pick out. These yellow birds are found across the eastern United States and can be sighted throughout West Virginia under tree canopies.

Purple Martin

According to the Cornell La b, these richly-colored birds are unique in that they almost exclusively live inside man-made birdhouses. These migratory birds fly to and from South America in large flocks and prefer to nest in groups like the one pictured above. To find these birds, look for nearby birdhouses or toward the sky, as these birds do all of their feeding in midair.

If you’re interested in attracting Purple Martins to your area you can read a complete guide on the best birdhouse placement on the Purple Martin Conservation Association website .

Red-winged Blackbird

The appropriately named Red-winged Blackbird is a common sight across the entire United States and is a year-round resident of West Virginia. The Cornell Lab says these birds can often be found near standing water feeding on insects or high up on utility wires or telephone poles.

Because these birds are so common, there’s a good chance you may recognize their call .

Double-crested Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorants are among the largest birds found in West Virginia , with a wingspan averaging nearly four feet across. You can pick out these birds by their yellow faces. They are often found floating on the water before they dive under to catch fish; you can also find them at the water’s edge drying out their wings before flight (shown above).

These birds also have a unique call that sounds similar to a croak or snorting pig.

American Kestrel

Going from one of the largest birds in West Virginia to North America’s smallest falcon, the American Kestral’s back is covered in reddish-brown and black stripes and has lines below its eyes resembling tear tracks. All About Birds recommends looking for these tiny hunters on fence posts, utility lines or telephone poles as they search for small prey like rodents or large insects.

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